Wetness monitoring systems with status notification system

Abstract

A monitor, for use with an absorbent article having a wetness sensor, includes a microprocessor and a current source, the microprocessor forms part of a wetness monitoring circuit and part of a continuity monitoring circuit. A method of providing a system for monitoring an absorbent article with a wetness sensor includes programming a microprocessor to (1) provide notification when the monitor is not electrically connected with the wetness sensor, (2) provide notification when the monitor is electrically connected with the wetness sensor, and (3) provide notification when the absorbent article is wet.

1. A monitor for use with an absorbent article having a wetness sensor, the monitor comprising, a microprocessor and a current source; wherein the microprocessor forms part of a first wetness monitoring circuit, part of a second wetness monitoring circuit, and part of a continuity monitoring circuit; wherein the microprocessor includes programming instructions to activate an indicator when both the first continuity monitoring circuit and the second continuity monitoring circuit are complete; the monitor further comprising a first contact, a second contact, a third contact and a fourth contact,
 wherein the first continuity monitoring circuit includes the first contact and the second contact, the first contact and the second contact being adapted to electrically connect the microprocessor with a first conductor associated with the absorbent article, wherein the first conductor forms part of the wetness sensor, and 
 wherein the second continuity monitoring circuit includes the third contact and the fourth contact, the third contact and the fourth contact being adapted to electrically connect the microprocessor with a second conductor associated with the absorbent article, wherein the second conductor forms part of the wetness sensor. 
 
     
     
       2. The monitor of  claim 1  wherein the wetness monitoring circuit includes at least one of the first contact or the second contact and includes at least one of the third contact or the fourth contact. 
     
     
       3. The monitor of  claim 1  wherein the first, second, third and fourth contacts are adapted to physically penetrate through a bodyside liner or an outer cover of the absorbent article to electrically connect with the first and second conductors. 
     
     
       4. The monitor of  claim 1  wherein the first, second, third and fourth contacts are adapted to snap onto the absorbent article to electrically connect with the first and second conductors. 
     
     
       5. The monitor of  claim 1  wherein the microprocessor further forms part of an attachment monitoring circuit and wherein the microprocessor is adapted to provide an indication when the attachment monitoring circuit is complete. 
     
     
       6. The monitor of  claim 5  wherein the monitor defines an open condition and a closed condition and the monitor includes a hinge and a housing, wherein the attachment monitoring circuit includes a first contact associated with the hinge and a second contact associated with the housing, the first contact being electrically connected with the second contact when the monitor is in the closed condition and the first contact being electrically disconnected with the second contact when the monitor is in the open condition. 
     
     
       7. A wetness monitoring kit, comprising,
 the monitor of  claim 1  and 
 an absorbent article having a wetness sensor, wherein the monitor and the article are adapted to physically connect together and the monitor and the wetness sensor are adapted to electrically connect together. 
 
     
     
       8. The wetness monitoring kit of  claim 7  wherein
 the wetness sensor of the absorbent article comprises a first conductor and a second conductor extending generally in a longitudinal direction and spaced apart in a lateral direction by a distance, D, and 
 the monitor further comprises a first contact, a second contact, a third contact and a fourth contact, 
 the first contact and the second contact being generally aligned in the longitudinal direction, 
 the third contact and the fourth contact being generally aligned in the longitudinal direction, and 
 the first contact and the second contact being spaced apart from the third contact and the fourth contact by a distance of about D as measured in the lateral direction. 
 
     
     
       9. The wetness monitoring kit of  claim 8  further comprising instructions directing a wearer or caregiver to attach the monitor to the absorbent article such that the first contact and the second contact electrically connect with the first conductor and the third contact and the fourth contact electrically connect with the second conductor, the instructions further directing a wearer or caregiver to receive a notification when the monitor has continuity with the sensor, the instructions further directing the wearer or caregiver to reposition the monitor if no notification is received. 
     
     
       10. The wetness monitoring kit of  claim 8 , further comprising instructions directing a wearer or caregiver to attach the monitor to the absorbent article such that the first contact and the second contact electrically connect with the first conductor and the third contact and the fourth contact electrically connect with the second conductor, the instructions further directing a wearer or caregiver to receive a notification that the monitor has continuity with the sensor, the instructions further directing the wearer or caregiver to reposition the monitor if a notification is received indicating that continuity is broken. 
     
     
       11. A method of providing a system for monitoring an absorbent article with a wetness sensor comprising a first conductor and a second conductor, the method comprising,
 providing a monitor having a first contact, a second contact, a microprocessor, and a current source, wherein the first contact is adapted to electrically connect with the first conductor of the wetness sensor, the second contact is adapted to electrically connect with the second conductor of the wetness sensor, 
 electrically connecting the first contact and the second contact with the microprocessor to form part of a monitoring circuit, 
 programming the microprocessor to measure an electrical property of the monitoring circuit, 
 programming the microprocessor to provide a first indication when the electrical property is above a first value, 
 programming the microprocessor to provide a second indication when the electrical property is below the first value and above a second value, and 
 programming the microprocessor to provide a third indication when the electrical property is below the second value. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11  wherein the first value is about 10 MΩ and the second value is about 1 MΩ. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12  wherein the first indication provides notification that the monitor is not electrically connected with the wetness sensor of the absorbent article, the second indication provides notification that the monitor is electrically connected with the wetness sensor, and the third indication provides notification that the absorbent article is wet. 
     
     
       14. A method of providing a monitor for use with a wetness sensor in an absorbent article, wherein the wetness sensor comprises a first conductor and a second conductor, the method comprising,
 providing a monitor housing having a microprocessor associated therewith, 
 positioning a first contact and a second contact on the monitor housing to align with the first conductor of the wetness sensor, 
 positioning a third contact and a fourth contact on the monitor housing to align with the second conductor of the wetness sensor, 
 electrically connecting the first contact and the second contact with the microprocessor to define part of a first continuity monitoring circuit, 
 electrically connecting the third contact and the fourth contact with the microprocessor to define part of a second continuity monitoring circuit, 
 electrically connecting at least one of the first or second contacts and at least one of the third or fourth contacts with the microprocessor to define part of a wetness monitoring circuit, 
 programming the microprocessor to measure an electrical property of the first continuity monitoring circuit, 
 programming the microprocessor to measure an electrical property of the second continuity monitoring circuit, 
 programming the microprocessor to provide a first indication when both the first continuity monitoring circuit and second continuity monitoring circuit are complete, 
 programming the microprocessor to measure an electrical property of the wetness monitoring circuit, and 
 programming the microprocessor to provide a second indication when an insult is detected in the wetness monitoring circuit. 
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14  wherein the monitor housing includes a pair of attachment legs pivotally attached by a hinge to a main housing and wherein the hinge includes a fifth contact and one of the attachment legs or the main housing includes a sixth contact, the method further comprising,
 electrically connecting the fifth contact and the sixth contact with the microprocessor to define an attachment monitoring circuit, 
 programming the microprocessor to measure an electrical property of the attachment monitoring circuit, and 
 programming the microprocessor to provide a third indication when the fifth contact electrically connects with the sixth contact to complete the attachment monitoring circuit. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 14  further comprising,
 programming the microprocessor to provide a fourth indication when at least one of the first continuity monitoring circuit or the second continuity monitoring circuits are opened after both circuits have been closed. 
 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 14  wherein the monitor housing includes a pair of attachment legs pivotally attached by a hinge to a main housing, the method further comprising,
 positioning at least one of the first, second, third or fourth contacts on the attachment legs, 
 positioning a receptacle on the main housing to align with the at least one contact when the monitor is in a closed condition, 
 electrically connecting the at least one contact and the receptacle with the microprocessor to define an attachment monitoring circuit, and 
 programming the microprocessor to provide a third indication when the at least one contact electrically connects with the receptacle to complete the attachment monitoring circuit.